Tuesday, March 31, 2015

2

Lebanon’s national-unity cabinet formed

“Finally… the national-unity cabinet is born,” Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Monday night to the Lebanese people, who had been awaiting its formation after almost five months of impasse, deliberation, proposals and counteroffers between the newly appointed Prime Minister and the opposition.

Hariri made his announcement from the Presidential Palace in Baabda after the cabinet was publicly decreed following his meeting with President Michel Sleiman. Speaker Nabih Berri had also joined their meeting to help put the finishing touches on the lineup.

Lebanon’s national unity government is based on the 15-10-5 cabinet formula, which grants the majority 15 ministers, the opposition 10 and the president five.

“We turned a new page,” Hariri said, voicing hope it will be one of agreement and cooperation in Lebanon.

A similar statement was issued earlier on Monday by Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun as he announced the names of the Change and Reform bloc’s prospective ministers. “We turned the page to ensure a better future for Lebanon and to confront all challenges,” he said, adding, “We cannot but overcome the past’s negative times and move toward the future.”

In his speech Hariri said that the cabinet will either allow the Lebanese to renew trust in their institutions or repeat their failure in achieving consensus. He said he hopes the cabinet will work for Lebanon's best interests, face economic problems, launch a major legislative workshop and fully implement the Taif Accord.

Hariri also said he hopes the cabinet will be unified against Israeli threats and eager to liberate Lebanon’s occupied lands. He concluded his speech with a promise to work with everyone for Lebanon’s best interests.

International congratulations followed shortly after the cabinet formation. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner welcomed the government formation and reiterated his country’s support for Hariri.

Also, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams congratulated Hariri and Sleiman for the cabinet formation. He said that the UN looks forward to the new government’s firm and complete commitment to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The detailed cabinet lineup was announced by the Cabinet Secretary General Suheil Bouji, who declared the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s government and the appointment of Saad Hariri as Prime Minister.

well well, as the famous U2 song says: "I CAN LIVE... WITH OR WITHOUT YOU..."

November 11, 2009

essam

This is a Government that should be entered in the Guinness Book of Records, for taking nearly 6 months for its formation since the useless election that gave a clear winners & losers,then both parties form a Government !!!..whats was the point of the election ???..It has been a hard & long road for its birth ,in which ( I hope I'm wrong) is 90% Still-Born, if 8th March Ministers became Obstacles rather true partners...Who are the Oppositions,whos going to hold the Government accountable ,how can it be the Judge,Jury & the Guilty Party ALL in one..???..may be Guinness Book isn't the right book !!!!